English Lesson 27
Free time and learning
Free time, a teacher who influenced your education, and how students learn best.
How to practise
- Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
- Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
- Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
- Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
- Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Part 1 · Interview
Free time
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
When do you usually have free time?
I usually have free time in the evenings, after about seven, and on Fridays. Saturdays are often busy, because I do housework and shopping. So Friday is my real day off, and I try not to work at all on that day.
- I usually have free time in…say when
- I do houseworkhousework = cleaning, washing, etc.
- my real day offa day with no work
- try not to work at allnot at all = not even a little
What do you like doing in your free time?
I like reading novels and going hiking. Hiking is my favourite, because I get exercise and fresh air, and I can talk with my friends on the way. When I'm too tired to go out, I just stay home and watch a series.
- going hikingwalking in the mountains or nature
- Hiking is my favourite, because…give your favourite and a reason
- on the waywhile walking or travelling
- too tired to go outtoo + adjective + to
What free time activities are most popular where you live?
Going to cafés is very popular among young people. People also love going to the mountains at the weekend, because we have mountains very close to the city. And of course, watching football is popular with almost everyone.
- is very popular among young peopleamong = in a group of
- very close to the citynear the city
- popular with almost everyonenearly everyone likes it
How important is free time in our lives?
It's very important. Without free time, we get tired and stressed, and we can't work well. Free time gives us a chance to rest, enjoy our hobbies and spend time with people we love. I think it's as important as work.
- Without free time, …imagine the opposite
- gives us a chance to…lets us do something
- as important as workthe same level of importance
Part 2 · Cue card
A teacher who has influenced you in your education
You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.
Candidate task card
Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your education.
You should say:
- who this teacher was
- what subject he or she taught
- what was so special about him or her
- and explain why this teacher has influenced you so much
Start
I'd like to talk about my English teacher at a language institute, Ms Rahimi. She changed the way I learn languages.
Who she was
She was a young teacher, about thirty years old. I joined her class when I was seventeen, and I studied with her for two years.
What she taught
She taught English conversation. Before her class, I could read English, but I was too shy to speak.
What was special
She made us speak from the first minute of every class. She never corrected us in front of everyone. Instead, she wrote down our mistakes and gave us notes at the end. She also used songs, films and games, so the classes were never boring.
Why she influenced you
She influenced me because she gave me confidence. She told me that making mistakes is part of learning. Thanks to her, I stopped being afraid of speaking. Today, I use English at work every day, and I still remember her advice: speak first, worry later.
- She changed the way I learn…describe a big effect
- I joined her classjoined = became a member of
- too shy to speaktoo + adjective + to
- in front of everyonewhere everyone can see
- she gave me confidencemade me believe in myself
- making mistakes is part of learninga useful idea
Part 3 · Discussion
Ways of learning
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What method of learning works best for most college students in your country?
I think most students learn best when they do practical projects. In many colleges, students still just listen to long lectures and memorise notes for exams. But when they work on a real project, they understand the topic much better and remember it for longer.
- learn best when…describe the best way
- long lectureslong talks by a teacher
- memorise noteslearn notes by heart
- remember it for longerkeep it in their memory a long time
How useful is it to group students according to their ability?
It has some benefits. Strong students can move faster, and weaker students can get more help. But there's a risk too. Students in the weaker group may feel stupid and lose motivation. So I think mixed classes are better, with some extra help for those who need it.
- according to their abilitybased on how good they are
- It has some benefitsit has good sides
- lose motivationstop wanting to try
- mixed classesclasses with different levels together
How has technology changed the way people learn new things?
It has made learning much easier and cheaper. You can learn almost anything on YouTube or with apps, like languages or cooking. You can also study at your own speed, at any time. But it's easy to get distracted online, so you need good self-discipline.
- much easier and cheapercompare with the past
- at your own speedas fast or as slowly as you like
- get distractedlose focus
- self-disciplinethe ability to control yourself and keep working
Would you like to be a teacher in the future? Why?
Maybe part-time. I'd like to teach adults, for example in evening classes, because I enjoy sharing what I know. But I don't think I could be a full-time school teacher. It needs a lot of patience and energy, and the salary is quite low.
- Maybe part-time.a soft yes, for some hours only
- sharing what I knowteaching my knowledge
- full-timeworking all the normal hours
- the salary is quite lowthe pay is not good
Many people think female teachers are more suitable for primary schools. What is your opinion?
I don't think it depends on being male or female. A good primary teacher needs to be patient, warm and creative, and both men and women can be like that. In fact, I think it's good for young children to have male teachers too, so they see different role models.
- suitable forright for
- it depends on being male or femalegender decides it
- In fact, …add a surprising point
- role modelspeople children want to copy
What are the qualities of a good teacher?
A good teacher knows the subject well, but also knows how to explain it simply. They're patient and fair with every student. They also make the class active, so students participate instead of just listening. And most importantly, a good teacher believes in their students.
- explain it simplymake it easy to understand
- patient and faircalm and equal with everyone
- participatetake part, join in
- most importantly, …the most important point
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.